Just Be You — at Mom2Summit

Hi, my name is Nicole and I am the CEO, author and chief bottle washer over at By Word of Mouth Musings. This is my little corner of the blogosphere where I write about life with a traveling husband, parenting, infertility, adoption, trans-racial families, homeschooling – and of course, humor. Since really, with all I just mentioned, one requires humor. And wine. This is my first experience as a live blogger, and I feel like a ‘chosen one’. Hope we are able to bring the conference alive in your screens …

So, since its pre-conference … here we go …

Flying across the miles, to join complete strangers, maybe even share a bed …

(in case you didn’t know, spooning is rife amongst bloggers)

Do the people who know you, think you are insane?

Clearly, they are not bloggers …

They have no concept that the people in our screens are not strangers to us.

They are as alive in our minds and our hearts, as the friends we see everyday.

In fact, sometimes with the online anonymity we believe we have,

perhaps we share a little more with the people in our screens.

When you take the next step and head across the country to hug, squee & woot,

it is just like show and tell, except we are now Exhibit A.

And for some of us, including moi – it is a little intimidating!

***

***

Heading to my very first conference, I was filled with trepidation, so much so, I coerced a friend to start a blog, and bought her an airline ticket. A year later, after the same conference – night and day between this first post and the next post in pictures What a difference a year makes.

So a few things to share, first, in the words of a little company you may know …

Just Do It

You are pouring heart and soul into your online world, and it really is time to head out there and meet those people you think you know. Unless you cleave to the idea of an arranged marriage kind of soulmate, get out there and meet the people. The real people. The real person behind the screen.

Forget the Fashion Show

If you already err on the side of self conscious, the last thing you want to worry about is ‘does this outfit make my *ss look big, is there a chance the boobage will fall out and Gawd Almighty, will this speaker please wrap it up, cause I am freezing!’ Trust me, you will sit for long periods of time and also, conference rooms are cold. I am the Queen of Comfort, I have perfected the art of wearing comfortable with enough bling to make it look magazine worthy.

There is some really good stuff to be had at a conference. The keynotes alone will make you swoon and and inspire you to new heights. Be sure to check out what is going to be on ahead of time and plan accordingly.

Do not hide …

There is an awful lot going on, every waking moment. And you may find yourself overwhelmed. I wish I could say that I am always brave and fearless. Last weekend at the Erma Bombeck conference, I headed to bed at 9.30 on Saturday night. I suddenly felt overwhelmed and intimidated. I bolted. What I should have done, was look around the room, found another person with that deer in the headlights look and said, ‘lets get a drink’ or ‘want to go for walk’ in a totally non stalkerish creepy way. I guarantee there was someone else feeling that way. Learn from my mistakes …

Party like its 1999. Obviously in a responsible fashion.

You do NOT wanted to be remembered as the drunken stripper (well unless you do!)

This is a bonafide girls working weekend. Take a deep breath and remember that under the layers of wife, mom, daughter, blogger, writer, very responsible human being is – YOU. You, are surrounded by people just like you. They are writing their hearts out, trying to connect, trying to make a difference – and you are one of them

Bring YOU to the party … and you will find there is a whole new world just waiting to say hello, we know you, we get you, we are you.

And bask in that knowledge …

… that is pretty much the most important thing that I have to say here … Just Be You!

That would have been me bolting to bed at 9:30 pm. I want to go to a conference so bad but I freak out just thinking about it. If I ever have the money left over for one I would love to go… but I would hide in a corner all day.
Hope you have fun this weekend in Miami. Let me know how you like the Versace mansion!!! 🙂

[…] Mom 2.0 Summit this weekend and writing for them while I am there … here is my pre-conf post Just Be you Color me thrilled! And next week, I hope to hear to YOUR voice … please take a look over […]

Some great advice! I would soooo love to go to a blog conference and meet all the amazing ladies who have inspired me since I started blogging.

I think I still remember how to party like 1999..??? LOL

Mom 2.0 Ten Year Anniversary

Mom 2.0 Summit

MAY 2-4, 2018 • Pasadena, Los Angeles, California
AN OPEN CONVERSATION BETWEEN MOMS + MARKETERS + MEDIA
Mom 2.0 is a gathering of influencers and leaders who create content online and on air in parenting, entertainment, food, politics, business, marketing, technology, social change, travel and design.

Sign Up for the Mom 2.0 Newsletter

Email Address

Find us on Facebook

Mom 2.0 Summit

MAY 2-4, 2018 • Pasadena, Los Angeles, California
AN OPEN CONVERSATION BETWEEN MOMS + MARKETERS + MEDIA
Mom 2.0 is a gathering of influencers and leaders who create content online and on air in parenting, entertainment, food, politics, business, marketing, technology, social change, travel and design.